Jim Gordon reviews the matches played on the weekend in the Mallee Football League.

JEPARIT RAINBOW V SEA LAKE NANDALY TIGERS

There has been a sense of repetition in Jeparit Rainbow's form this season and once again the Lakers played one good quarter of football against Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers when four were required and once again their poor disposal and options going into the forward line hurt them. The result for the Lakers was a comprehensive 88-point mauling from the Tigers.

Jeparit Rainbow played a poor first half to be well off the pace by half time, they came out firing in the third term playing with much more intensity then fell away badly in the last. This was disappointing game for Laker supporters.

At the main break total Tiger domination saw them with a whopping 25 scoring shots to four and a 66 point lead. The Lakers then turned things around in the third quarter kicking six goals to one to reduce the gap to 37 points before the Tigers went on to hold the Lakers scoreless in the final quarter whilst banging on eight goals themselves.

Cliff Ryan marked everything up forward and ended up with six goals; his right hand man Wes Harrison snagged four whilst crumbers Bill Barry and Darcy Ryan collected two each. Dan McEwan rucked wonderfully, giving his onball brigade first use of the ball at the stoppages. Matt Elliott continued his excellent form in the middle of the ground and John Foskett created many attacks whether on the ball or across half back. Veteran Joel Lloyd is back to his best with good ball use and defenders James Summerhayes and Stephen Lyons led their lines well.

In a game of few positives for the Lakers, one bright spot was that one of their youngest players Nathan Cocks, was their best on the day. Playing on the wing, Cocks ran hard and tackled hard all day and even ended up kicking a good goal.

Adam Schultz played at both ends of the ground in his debut for the club and showed that he will be a valuable asset to the team. Ash Hannell also made his debut and showed promise, Josh McCleary battled hard in the ruck and around the ground.

Ryan Bulluss was Jeparit Rainbow's only dangerous forward, but his opportunities were limited by poor forward entries from his teammates. Captain Lucas Edelsten played his best game of the year in the midfield.

Jeparit Rainbow was missing several regular senior players and face the daunting trip up to Ouyen next week to face a Demon side bristling with new high profile talent. The unbeaten Tigers take on the Blues at home in what will be the match of the day.

HOPETOUN V OUYEN UNITED

Hopetoun opened this game full of running. Both sides had a lot to gain with a win. With all of their high profile recruits on display, Ouyen United needed to establish some respectability and Hopetoun just needed to win a game. The Demons opened with the aid of a five or six goal breeze at their backs so that when they went in at the first break with only a 19 point lead, it looked like it could be the Devils in with a chance to get their first win of the season.

The home side would have been very happy with their opening term. This was a different Hopetoun to the one that had gone down meekly to the Cats in the first round, then the Roos smashed them in Round 2. The Devils ran the ball well into the breeze. Clint Burdett and David Baulch were doing well in the centre and on the ball, and their defence was standing up. But most of all, they had Luke Carr doing a stand out job at full back on the dangerous Damian Cupido.

Carr did a sterling job all day, but it was in the opening term that he established his credentials and although Cupido managed a goal or two, Carr was able to limit his opportunities and quell his influence. When it was Hopetoun's turn to kick with the breeze, Carr stayed up that end and proceeded to kick goals as well. Playing on the young and talented Aaron Morrish, Carr stitched the youngster up in the final quarter with an astonishing nine shots on goal for three majors, five behinds and one out of bounds!

Against all logic and against the breeze in the second term and just when you thought the Devils would get back on the scoreboard, it was United who fired up with seven goals to three. If Carr was the star in the first term, it was Laurence Angwin who clearly came to play in the second taking over in the ruck and giving his running players first use of the ball.

In a dominant big man display, Angwin was unstoppable whether on the ball or when resting up forward late in the day with what looked like a back injury. Todd Barker backed up Angwin and was hard at the ball, but it was Angwin who did all the damage ending up with six goals for the day kicked mainly at the end of the game.

The Devils had Zac Robins, Bryce Wellington and Ben Reid out adding to their problems. These experienced and talented players were sorely missed, but are expected in time for Hopetoun's next game.

Ouyen United had complete supremacy across the centre with Jerry Wilson having another standout game on his wing. Relishing the wide and long Hopetoun ground, Wilson ran up and down his wing with blistering pace to continually drive United into attack. His aerial display has been a treat to watch for Demon fans with Wilson quickly becoming a cult figure around the club.

In his best display for the season, Dean Jardine was another who ran hard all day. It was Jardine who was often responsible for setting up play for the Dees, linking well with Wilson and the Demon forwards.

Alexander Morrish did a very good job on the inform Deek Roberts, Bradley Summerhayes burrowed in and under and Mitchell Taylor did some stand out work in defence.

The day belonged to the Demons, but there were a few bright spots for Hopetoun. They had a great first term, coach Luke Carr was outstanding whether defending or trying to kick a goal for his side and the Devils never gave up trying. Hopetoun are not playing good football at the moment. Poor disposal is hurting them along with some poor decision making.
The Devils will be looking forward to the bye so they can refresh and try and get their season back on track.

BEULAH V WOOMELANG LASCELLES

In a high standard game at Beulah, the Blues had just enough talent and poise to keep a much-improved Woomelang Lascelles at bay. This was an entertaining game of football and when the Cats kicked the first four goals of the last quarter, it looked like an upset was brewing before Beulah steadied, kicked two goals themselves and ran out worthy twenty five point winners.

With the scores level at half time, the Cats had their chances in the third term to kick clear of Beulah as they had most of the play early in the quarter, but kicked poorly to let Beulah back in, late in the term. This lapse probably cost Woomelang Lascelles the game as this was when Beulah's premium players became prominent, just when it counted most.

Kane Donnan played well in his first senior game of 2013 for the Cats and he ended up with five goals. Jayden Lonergan was also handy up forward also with five goals. But it was Anthony Foott who was best for Woomelang Lascelles. It was good to see Foott back across half back, he was rock solid as always and the Cats have missed his presence in the lead up to this game.

Mark Charleson played a lone hand in the ruck for Womelang Lascelles. He rucked tirelessly all day and was the best big man on the ground. Josh Templeton was a handy player for the Cats.

Apart from a ten minute lapse in the third quarter when Beulah dominated, this was a tight and even contest. With Woomelang Lascelles missing at least five of their senior players, they did well to match it with the unbeaten Beulah. If those five had played, it could have made the result of the game very different.

By Jim Gordon